News Details

Port Grant-Funded Landscape Project Dedicated

Century Villages at Cabrillo improves air quality with trees

April 27, 2012

Century Villages at Cabrillo in west Long Beach dedicated its new "landscape barrier" on April 27 -- Arbor Day 2012 -- thanking the Port of Long Beach and others for funding for the project that will improve air quality on the Villages campus. Speaking at the event, Harbor Commissioner Nick Sramek said the grant was an example of the Port's continuing efforts to be a better neighbor.

"We've come a long way, but we've still got more to do," said Sramek.

The Port is working to reduce air pollution from the sources at the Port, such as trucks and ships. From 2005 to 2010, clean air measures cut diesel particulate matter by 72 percent. Meanwhile the Port Grant Programs help to pay for projects in the community that directly reduce the health risks of port-related air pollution.

The $40,779 grant from the Port was part of $4.7 million awarded to schools and related sites in Long Beach to help reduce the health impacts of port-related air pollution. Villages hosts more than 400 students a day.

For more information on the Port's grants, go to www.polb.com/grants. Villages also received donations for the 191-tree project from others including Port tenants Long Beach Container Terminal and SSA Marine.

The landscape barrier occupies an elongated area on the west side of the Villages campus, right next to the Terminal Island Freeway.

As the trees grow, they will range in height from 25 to 80 feet tall, providing a barrier that will stop most of the sound and particulate matter air pollution from the freeway, according to the Villages.

"We think this barrier is going to help us preserve, maintain and enhance the entire 26-acre campus," said Brian D'Andrea, President of Century Villages. "With more than 400 children who populate our campus every day, we have to make every effort to improve air quality."